Violin-string tensioner



1,657,896 A. v. MERTES I VIOLIN STRING TENSIONER Filed April 16, 1926 Patented Jan. 31, 1928.

ALBERT V. MERTES, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

VIOLIN-STRING TELTSIONER.

Application filed April 16, 1928.

This invention relates to improvements in violin strin tensioners, and has for one of its principal objects the provision of means for quickly and accurately tensioning the strings of violins and similar musical instruments.

One of the important objects of this in vention is the provision of a device which can be economically manufactured and readily attached to the tailpiece of a violin or similar musical instrument for tensioning the strings thereof, and particularly metal strings.

vStill another and further important object of this invention is the elimination of the necessity for boring pivot holes and the fitting of pivot pins therethrough, which have heretofore been used for the tensioning levers of string adjusting devices of musical instruments, and which, moreover,

will avoid any tendency of the tightener to throw the tailpiece of the instrument out of position or injure the same in any way.

Another and still further important object of this invention is the provision of a tightener for the strings of musical instruments, especially metal strings which, on account of its compactness and small number of parts, materially reduces the mass of metallic material usually present in such devices and thereby decreases the detrimental effect of the vibrations set up when the instrument is played.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the rear of a violin with the improved tensioning device shown in position thereon.

Figure 2 is adetail view, partly in section, showing the construction and operation of the tensioner.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the same, one end of the lever being broken away.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of that end of the lever which is omitted in Figure 3.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral indicates generally the rear end of a violin or the like, having the usual tailpiece l2 thereon, and in one of the string slots of said tailpiece is Serial No. 102,599.

mounted the string adjusting device of the present invention.

This device comprises preferably a base plate l i adapted to be fitted beneath the front end of the tailpiece l2, and having suitably fitted into an opening in its rear end an upstanding cylindrical screw threaded pin 16, upon the outside screw threads of which is mounted a knurled locking nut 18. The pin 16 is of a size to readily pass through the circular portion of the string slot 20, and the locking nut 18 is adapted to securely clamp the device in position on the tailpiece 12.

The interior of the cylindrical pin 16 is screw threaded to receive a correspondingly screw threaded element 22 at the upper end of which is fitted a knurled adjusting knob 24.

The pin 22 passes through the longitudinal extending slot 26 in the rear end of a lever 28, which is formed as best shown in Figure 2 and has its pivot or fulcrum point made in the Shape of a downwardly extending bearing adapted to rotate about a pin 30, which preferably forms an integral part of the base plate 14, the same being positioned in a slot 32 in the forward end thereof.

The lever 23 is formed of material suiticiently ductile so as to permit of the ends 3% being spread slightly part to allow the same to pass over the pin 30, after which they are forced together in any suitable manner so as to form a practically cylindrical bearing about the pin 30.

The forward end of the lever 28 comprises an upstanding bifurcated element 36 providing a slot 38 for the reception of the string 40, in the end of which a knot 42 is formed.

It will be seen that this construction provides a very simple and accurate means of tensioning strings of musical instruments or the. like, which can be readily applied, and which, being composed of a minimum of parts, is not likely to get out of order. Further, the fact that practically the entire apparatus is positioned in a plane above the plane of the base plate 14 provides a much more satisfactory action and eliminates any slipping or sidewise rocking movements, and, in addition, there is absolutely no pos sibility of the tension of the string acting to change the adjustment thereof.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, andI therefore do not purposelimitinp; the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art. 7 I claim as my invention:

1. A string tensioning device, including a base plate, means for attaching said base plate-in desired positiomand a tensionin'g lever mounted on the base plate, the said tensioning lever pivotally mounted to fulcrum ii; the plane of the base plate and with both of its arms above said plane, together with means for adjusting said lever, said means comprising an adjusting screw rotatably mounted with respect to the base plate and in the said base plate attaching means.

2. A string tensioning device, including a base plate, means for attaching said base plate in desired position, and a tensioning lever mounted on the base plate, the said tensioning lever'pivotally mounted in the plane of the base plate and with both its operating arms above said plate, together with means for adjusting said lever, said means comprising an adjusting screw rotatably mounted with respect to the base plate,

the head of said screw contacting with the rear arm of said lever.

3. A string tenslonlng device, including a base plate, means torattaching said base plate 111 desired position, and a tensionlng of said lever, the said arm of said lever being bifurcated to provide a; slot to receive the end of the string.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature,

ALBERT V. MERTES. 

